Tellima grandiflora

Common Names

Bigflower Tellima, Fringe Cups, Fragrant Fringecup, Fringecup

Summary

Tellima grandiflora, Fringe Cups, is a herbaceous perennial native to western North America from Alaska to central California. It grows in moist forests, glades, streambanks, thickets, and clearings, forming a clump up to about 40–100 cm tall and up to 50 cm wide, with basal, heart-shaped leaves that are shallowly lobed and hairy, and flowering stems bearing a spike-like raceme that is usually one-sided and carries many greenish-white to pink, fringed flowers that may be fragrant.

In cultivation, it prefers partial to full shade and consistently moist, humus-rich soils, tolerating wet soils and a range of soil types; it is hardy in USDA zones 4a–7b and can be grown as ground cover or understory planting in woodland, borders, rock gardens, or along streams. It spreads by rhizomes and self-seeds, with propagation by seed or division; old flower stems can be cut back after flowering, and the plant is deer resistant with slug susceptibility, making it a low-maintenance option for shaded, moist landscapes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-36 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-7

Sunlight Requirements

Tellima grandiflora can be planted in Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, or Full Shade.

Soil Type

Humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

5.0-7.0

Bloom Color

White or cream, often turning pink with age.

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green (foliage may be tinged with purple)

Fall Foliage Color

Green, Orange/Apricot, Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts pollinators